ReactOS as the "open-source Windows" operating system project striving for binary compatibility with Microsoft Windows has seen some exciting improvements this week.
ReactOS developers shared with Phoronix that they now have a unified BootCD to replace their previously separate boot/install media and their live CD. The new unified media combines both their traditional text-mode installer and their LiveCD image. Their new ISO aims to support a future first-stage GUI installer and all-around better than their previously separate media while a GUI installer will be more approachable for new users compared to the text-mode installer.
This pull request had been open since September 2024 for merging their bootcd and livecd assets into an "all-in-one" ReactOS boot CD. After a long time coming, this week that code was merged for the unified / all-in-one media.
Another exciting development merged recently that is even longer in the making is their new ATA storage driver. This plug-and-play aware ATA storage stack works across SATA, PATA, ATAPI, and AHCI devices and should significantly broaden the variety of systems on which ReactOS can successfully boot. This pull introducing the new ATA storage driver has been in the making since early 2024.
This week also marked ReactOS 0.4.16 having been branched. Release candidate builds of ReactOS 0.4.16 will be out soon with these changes and more. Nightly builds are also beginning for what will become ReactOS 0.4.17. Those wanting to try the latest ReactOS builds can find them on ReactOS.org.